Report: 5 suspected militants, 2 soldiers killed in Yemeni offensive

Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) -- Seven people were killed and 32 suspected militants were arrested in Yemen during a military offensive touted by the government as part of an intensified hunt for terrorists, the state-run news agency reported Sunday, citing security sources.

Five of the dead were members of al Qaeda, the Saba News Agency said, adding that two Yemeni soldiers were also killed.

Military sources had previously told CNN four soldiers were killed and three wounded in clashes between the country's security forces and suspected militants in the southern Shabwa province.

Rights groups have voiced concern about the operation. Human Rights Watch said the Yemeni Red Crescent was estimating that the fighting had displaced as many as 12,000 people from their homes.

Civilians were used as human shields by suspected militants, who restricted their movements during the attack, the Saba News Agency reported.

It also said the military seized a bomb-laden car that militants had planned to use to carry out a suicide attack.

CNN

Pro-India parties praise Kashmir plan; critics pan it

Srinagar, India (CNN) -- Pro-India groups Sunday welcomed the latest initiative from New Delhi to defuse the crisis in Indian-administered Kashmir, but a hard-line separatist leader spearheading the unrelenting pro-independence unrest dismissed the plan as "an eyewash".

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah was one of the first to hail the eight-point proposal, describing it as "a positive development which should lead to resolving the political issues of the state".

Omar said students who had been detained for throwing stones during the violent demonstrations that have so far claimed 106 lives would be released soon, and schools and colleges should reopen Monday so that students will be prepared for annual state board exams.

However, he said, one of the main points of the proposal -- to scale down the number of security forces in the area and to withdraw the Disturbed Areas Act in some places -- would be reviewed this week at the unified headquarters meeting.

The Indian government had imposed a strict round-the-clock curfew in the summer capital of Srinagar and in several other areas in an attempt to prevent angry mobs from taking to the street.

CNN

Jewish boat sets sail to Gaza with aid

(CNN) -- An aid ship sponsored by Jewish activist organizations around the world set sail Sunday from Cyprus to Gaza, despite a blockade to the occupied territory.

The boat, named Irene, was carrying 10 passengers and crew, including Jews from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Israel.

"The boat will attempt to reach the coast of Gaza and unload its aid cargo in a nonviolent, symbolic act of solidarity and protest -- and call for the siege to be lifted to enable free passage of goods and people to and from the Gaza Strip," organizers said in a statement.

The captain of the boat, Glyn Secker, said that they left Cyprus at 1 p.m. and expect to arrive in Gaza in 36 hours.

The boat's cargo includes children's toys, musical instruments, textbooks, fishing nets and prosthetic limbs, the organizers said.

They plan to deliver the goods to the Gaza Mental Health Program.

"Israeli government policies are not supported by all Jews," said Richard Kuper of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, one of the organizers. "We call on all governments and people around the world to speak and act against the occupation and the siege".

CNN

Man faces terrorism-related charges in Northern Ireland

(CNN) -- A 54-year-old man faces terrorism-related charges in Northern Ireland following the discovery of firearms linked to dissident republican activity, police said.

The man, whose name has not been released, was arrested Friday, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

He faces charges of possession of articles likely to be of use to terrorists; preparation of terrorist acts; possession of firearms with intent to endanger life; possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances; possession of a prohibited weapon; and conversion of weapons not being the holder of a firearms dealer's certificate.

The man is expected to appear at a magistrate's court on Monday.

Jonathan Evans, director-general of Britain's MI5 intelligence service, said recently that there has been "a persistent rise in terrorist activity and ambition in Northern Ireland over the past three years," and he attributed the problem to Irish republican dissidents.

Northern Ireland was beset by Protestant-Catholic sectarian strife for decades until the Good Friday Agreement was forged in the late 1990s.

But this year, dissident republicans have made more than 30 attacks or attempted attacks on national security targets, compared with more than 20 all of last year.

CNN

South Korea will deliver aid to North in October

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- The South Korean Red Cross will deliver tons of government-funded aid to North Korea next month, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Seoul revealed earlier this month that it would donate 5,000 tons of rice and other aid to its communist neighbor.

Yonhap says the rice shipment will depart October 25 from the port of Gunsan, about 170 miles (275 kilometers) southwest of Seoul. It will be delivered to the North Korean city of Sinuiju, according to Yonhap, which borders the Chinese town of Dandong.

The news agency also says more aid will be delivered in stages, including 10,000 tons of cement, medical goods and 3 million packs of instant noodles.

Funding for the shipments will come from taxpayer money earmarked for projects that will improve relations with the North, according to Yonhap, after a review by a South Korean government committee on inter-Korean exchanges.

CNN

Suspected drone strike kills 3 in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- A suspected U.S. drone strike killed three alleged militants in Pakistan's tribal region Sunday, the second such strike in two days, intelligence officials told CNN.

Two intelligence officials said three missiles hit a suspected militant hideout in the Data Khel area of North Waziristan, one of seven districts in Pakistan's volatile tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

A strike in the same area Saturday also killed three suspected militants, the officials said.

The intelligence officials asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Based on a count by CNN, Sunday's strike was the 64th drone strike this year and the 17th this month, the highest total for any month since the drone strikes began.

While the United States is the only country in the region of Pakistan and Afghanistan known to have the ability to launch missiles from drones -- which are controlled remotely -- U.S. officials normally do not comment on suspected drone strikes.

CNN

Furyk wins Tour Championship and $10 million bonus

(CNN) -- Jim Furyk is golf's latest $10 million man as he claimed the Tour Championship and the jackpot bonus for winning the FedEx Cup playoff series.

The American kept his nerve on the final hole to hold off England's Luke Donald by one shot on eight-under 272 at East Lake.

Retief Goosen of South African finished third at six under with England's Paul Casey and Nick Watney tied for fourth a further shot back.

All five were eyeing victory and the massive bonus prize, with American Charley Hoffman, who claimed sixth spot, also in the hunt on the final day.

But in the end, it boiled down to a battle between Donald and Furyk, who will be on opposing sides in the Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States at Celtic Manor later this week.

Donald resurrected his hopes on the back nine with three birdies, chipping in at the 17th to set the clubhouse pace on seven-under 273.

Fuyrk had scrambled brilliantly all day in wet conditions made worse by a storm which halted play for nearly two hours.

CNN

Alonso boosts title hopes with Singapore win

(CNN) -- Spain's Fernando Alonso led from start to finish to win a grueling Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday to boost his hopes of a third world title.

In a masterful display of composure and driving skill, the Ferrari ace held off a charging Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull to take his 25th grand prix win and fourth of the season.

Vettel's teammate and championship leader Mark Webber finished third after surviving a collision with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, which saw the Briton fail to finish for the second straight race.

Webber heads the standings with 202 points ahead of the rapidly-improving Alonso on 191 and Hamilton on 182.

Vettel is a point further adrift with reigning champion Jenson Button, who finished fourth in Singapore, on 177.

Alonso started from pole position and took charge from the first corner, shrugging off the introduction of two safety cars after incidents on the tight Marina Bay street circuit.

Vettel's main chance came when the leaders pitted at the same time for a tire change, but Alonso stayed ahead.

The safety car came out for the second time when Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi and Hispania's Bruno Senna hit the wall to end their races.

CNN

12 dead in bus crash in Germany

(CNN) -- Twelve people were killed and 19 severely injured Sunday in a bus crash near Berlin, Germany, police told CNN.

The collision occurred on the A10 in Brandenburg when the bus tried to avoid a vehicle coming onto the motorway, police spokesman Jens Quitske said. The bus lost control and collided with the column of a bridge.

Among those severely injured was the driver of the other vehicle. In addition, 20 more suffered minor injuries.

The bus was a Polish holiday bus making its way from Spain back to Poland, Quitske said. He could not confirm whether all those on board were Polish, but said all the fatalities were adults.

CNN

Jewish boat sets sail to Gaza with aid

(CNN) -- An aid ship sponsored by Jewish organizations around the world set sail Sunday from Cyprus to Gaza, despite a blockade to the occupied territory.

The boat, named Irene, was carrying 10 passengers and crew, including Jews from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Israel.

"The boat will attempt to reach the coast of Gaza and unload its aid cargo in a nonviolent, symbolic act of solidarity and protest -- and call for the siege to be lifted to enable free passage of goods and people to and from the Gaza Strip," organizers said in a statement.

The captain of the boat, Glyn Secker, said that they left Cyprus at 1 p.m. and expect to arrive in Gaza in 36 hours.

The boat's cargo includes children's toys, musical instruments, textbooks, fishing nets and prosthetic limbs, the organizers said.

They plan to deliver the goods to the Gaza Mental Health Program.

CNN

Recession not over, public says

Washington (CNN) -- Economic experts may believe the recession is over, but try telling that to the public.

Seventy-four percent of Americans believe the economy is still in a recession, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll. Only 25 percent think the downturn is over.

One-third of Americans say the recession is serious, while another 29 percent characterize it as moderate.

One small cause for optimism: the percentage of Americans who say the country is in a recession has dropped 13 points since August.

The National Bureau of Economic Research, an independent group of economists, released a September 20 statement indicating the recession technically ended in June 2009. The dip began in December 2007 -- making it the longest and deepest downturn for the U.S. economy since the Great Depression.

Administration officials, while sounding guardedly optimistic about overall trends, have repeatedly expressed concern for those impacted by the sluggish economy.

CNN

Owen salvages a point for Man United at Bolton

(CNN) -- Manchester United missed the chance to close to within a point of leaders Chelsea as they needed a second half equalizer from substitute Michael Owen to salvage a 2-2 draw at Bolton on Sunday.

Bolton twice led through Zak Knight and Martin Petrov but were pegged back by strikes from Nani and Owen, who was scoring his 200th goal in English club football.

The draw was enough to see United leapfrog Arsenal into second in the standings, three points behind champions Chelsea, who were beaten 1-0 at Manchester City on Saturday.

Owen, who scored with a glancing header in the 74th minute within moments of coming on at the Reebok, said the team were disappointed not to have come away with three points.

"We created enough chances and dominated so we're disappointed to only get a point," Owen told Press Association.

CNN

Venezuelans head to polls in parliamentary election

(CNN) -- Voters in Venezuela headed to the polls Sunday to decide 165 seats out of 167 in the country's National Assembly.

Even though Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is not on the ballot, he casts a large shadow over the elections. His ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) holds 137 seats, and he has taken an active role in this year's campaign.

Despite one of the highest murder rates in Latin America and an economy that is just beginning to recover from a recession, Chavez maintains support among many of the country's poor.

But that support isn't as strong as it once was. Venezuela has also faced electricity shortages and other infrastructure problems that could make Chavez's party more vulnerable than in the past.

CNN

Japan's PM rejects China's demand for apology

Tokyo, Japan (CNN) -- Japan's prime minister has rejected China's demand for apology and compensation over the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain, state media reported Sunday.

"I have no intention of accepting [the demand] at all," Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, according to Japan's official Kyodo news agency.

Kan also said both countries should take a calm approach to the issue.

''It is important for both sides to act with a broader point of view,'' he said, according to Kyodo.

Kan's statements came after Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Beijing's demand was "completely groundless and is utterly unacceptable for Japan".

The foreign affairs ministry went on to assert Japanese jurisdiction over the islands where the captain was detained and declared that the dispute was handled in accordance with Japanese law.

Zhan Qixiong was detained earlier this month after his trawler collided with Japanese vessels near disputed islands in the East China Sea. He was freed on Friday.

Despite the call for an apology, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two sides should resolve the problems through dialogue and consultation, according to Chinese state media.

CNN

Nicaraguan president urges swift investigation of diplomat's death

(CNN) -- Nicaragua's president is calling on U.S. authorities to investigate the death of a Nicaraguan diplomat as quickly as possible so his body can be returned home.

Cesar Mercado, the consul of Nicaragua in New York, was found with his throat slashed in his apartment in the Bronx last week.

"We are asking for an investigation in the United States as soon as possible, to be able bring our fallen brother back to his birthplace ... for a Christian burial," President Daniel Ortega said at an event in Nicaragua's capital Saturday.

Authorities have not said whether Mercado's death was a homicide or a suicide.

CNN

Rescue cage arrives at Chile mine

Copiapo, Chile (CNN) -- Rescue workers in Chile took delivery Saturday of a 420-kilogram (924-pound) cage that is expected to haul 33 trapped miners back to the surface.

Authorities have dubbed the device the "Phoenix Capsule" because they say it will help the miners rise up again and give them a new life.

The first rescue capsule arrived at the San Jose gold and copper mine Saturday afternoon, draped in plastic sheeting. About a half-hour later, Chilean Mining Minister Laurence Golborne and Health Minister Jaime Manalich, accompanied by rescue engineers, unveiled the capsule. It was painted in the red, white and blue colors of the Chilean flag.

Relatives of the trapped miners saw the capsule for the first time and began applauding.

Golborne said the capsule weighed 420 kilograms (924 pounds) and its interior height was six feet, four inches (1.9 meters).

CNN

Furyk leads Tour Championship in $10m jackpot race

(CNN) -- Jim Furyk will hold a slender one-shot lead going into the final round of the Tour Championship with the battle for the $10 million FedEx Cup playoff series bonus still wide open.

Furyk put himself in prime position after a third round 70 for eight-under 202, one shot ahead of England's Luke Donald and Retief Goosen of South Africa.

The Ryder Cup veteran hit the front with a birdie on the par-five 15th at East Lake as Donald, who had led for the majority of the third round, carded a sloppy double bogey.

Furyk dropped a shot on the final hole to come back to the field, Donald nearly making amends for his earlier error as his birdie putt shaved the hole.

But it was Goosen who made the big move on Saturday with a faultless five-birdie round until dropping a shot at the testing 235-yard short 18th to close with a 66.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy is fourth at five-under with Donald's compatriot Paul Casey and Kevin Na still in the hunt after a pair of 69s for four-under.

CNN